General physicians and the management of heart failure in an Argentine population.

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to assess how general physicians (GP) think that heart failure (HF) should be managed and how they implement their knowledge. It was conducted in Buenos Aires City and suburban area, with the collaboration of 5 cardiologists, and 29 GP who were selected randomly, and were asked to keep a log of all patients they saw with HF. The methodology was similar to that employed in an international initiative named [quot ]Improvement[quot ] already performed in Europe. Data were obtained of 220 note patients. GP knowledge and perceptions about the management of HF were assessed initially with a [quot ]perception survey[quot ], and later on how a representative sample of patients was managed, with an [quot ]actual practice survey[quot ]. The electrocardiogram and the chest radiograph were recorded in most patients (approximately equal to 90